You're All Morons!!!

Yesterday I did what I always do on Facebook...I posted an opinion.  It was nothing more than a passing thought, definitely not something I spend my afternoons contemplating or pining over, but the immediate response I got sort of caught me off guard.  So...what better way to continue the conversation than to blog about it right?  So here goes.  This was my post.  "When I come across Facebook "friends" whose profile pic is their kids & not them...I "unfriend." Is that weird?"  I got 50 posts in a matter of minutes and EVERYONE had an opinion!  Oddly, but maybe not in fact odd at all, nearly every "Like" that I received came from my LA friends, most of whom are single.  The comments, however, came from back home.  The conversation never turned negative and I'm glad, because my post was never intended to be negative...they never are actually.  I just like sharing thoughts and hearing other perspectives.  I don't always agree with other people because let's face it, most people are morons...but yesterday was different ;-)

Now let me just be clear about something.  When I say "morons,"  and I believe that is probably the most accurate word I can use, I am very much including myself in that category.  I'm 32 years old, I pay more in rent each month than anyone back home pays for their mortgage and I am still putting myself out there every single day, only to be rejected by just about every casting director in this city, but I'm ok with at that.  I'm a moron, but I think you have to be a complete moron in order to one day become a genius.  So, YOU'RE ALL MORONS!  Lol.  I hope you find the love and motivation behind that statement and if you don't...you really are the lowest common denominator of humanity!  But...back to the topic at hand!

The comments I received yesterday were (not so shockingly) mostly from mothers & carried insights that I hadn't considered in the 9 seconds it took me to contemplate, type & share said post.  What I heard more often than not was that as a parent, your child tends to be your absolute proudest accomplishment.  Also, some mothers said they are not happy with the way they look, so they'd rather post pics of their kids.  I know that my own mom loves me, and the rest of her kids (but mostly me) more than she loves herself...it's just the kind of person that she is.  As a kid, and especially as a teenager, I was VERY MUCH ok with that!  However, that sentiment has changed now that I'm a grown ass man.  Yeh I said grown ass...what you gonna do about it?  I'm just playin ;-)  In all seriousness though, as an adult I want nothing more than for my mom to figure out how to put the focus back on her, because I'm pretty sure she hasn't done that since she was a teenager and that tends to be the case for a lot of mothers.  To some degree it may just be that I don't understand because I'm not a parent...I seriously can't even keep a plant alive!  But I also know that for many people, women in particular, it's just easier to focus your love on someone else than it is to take care of yourself.  We all need love others...we all need to nurture and care for others, but we ALL need to do those things for ourselves from time to time too.  

I'm not a parent (if that comes as a shock to any of you then you haven't been paying attention the past 32 years), but I do know what it's like to give all of my heart to others and get little in return.  From what I can tell, that tends to be a general theme in parenthood!  I've learned during the past year in particular that it is ok to be a little selfish from time to time, it's ok to want more out of life and it's ok to let go of the people who aren't around to make your life better.  There is ALWAYS enough love to go around!  Just look at that creepy family will the 242 little kids that all wear khakis and look alike...the Duggers I think.  There are so many damn kids in that family they could start a small town, but they seem full of love.  Loving one one child does not mean you love another child less and it should never mean that you stop loving yourself.  So, before I sound too preachy, I'll just say this.  STOP BEING A MORON AND START LOVING YOURSELF...IT MIGHT BE THE MOST GENIUS DECISION YOU EVER MAKE!


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Waaaah Waaaah...

Sooooo...didn't exactly win either category (congrats to Shira Lazar and What's Trending), but the IAWTV nominations and awards ceremony were more than enough to make me proud and motivate me to keep it pushin' in 2013.  I'm pretty hard on myself sometimes and while I always expect the best of myself (and that is ok), last night was a reminder that there is much work to be done (and that is also ok).  I took my first hosting class almost one year ago to the day of the awards show last night...so I shouldn't hang my head too low.  There were so many insanely talented and creative people there last night that I can't wait to get back to LA to start working on some new projects of my own!  I know I have the potential to do some really cool stuff in this industry and as long as I work hard every day and continue to surround myself with the right people...my day will come, but dammit it sure would've been cool to walk on that stage!  Lol.

I feel like life is a serious of awakenings and last night definitely awakened something inside me.  A desire to be better and to do more and oddly enough, I'm pretty sure it awakened Momma Kath and my little sis too.  I'm serious...I think it actually, literally awakened them because I'm pretty sure they fell asleep a couple times during the show.  Let's be honest, the internet is great but we're old and had no idea who most of the nominees even were!  The important thing is that they were wide awake and screaming like maniacs at a rock concert every time my name was announced and face was shown...they made me proud!  They're certain the whole thing was rigged and that I was robbed.  I could've been up against Ryan Seacrest and Tom Bergeron and I'm pretty sure they would've still expected me to win...and that's why I love them!

I know in my heart that some day I will be nominated right alongside my role models and know that my family isn't just appeasing me when they say they believe the same, they actually do believe it too.  I just hope they're not nodding off when I tearfully give my acceptance speech for my first Emmy win some day, but then again nothing my family does ever surprises me and rarely upsets me for more than a moment, because under it all they love me unconditionally and to be honest...they crack me the F*CK up!  So, from where I'm sitting (and I am actually sitting right now)...I'm already a winner!

My lovely co-host Kristyn Burtt & I on the red carpet!

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VEGAS BABY!!!

I'm just going to start this post by saying how great it is to be out of LA for a minute...and it's also not bad spending someone much needed and always appreciated time with the fam.  We're not all together (that doesn't happen as much as I'd like), but I've got Momma Kath, Papa Steve and Sister Sledge...so not doing too bad.  Lol.  I'm actually nominated for not one, but two hosting awards (my first nominations ever), so my family is here to support...because that's how we roll.  I'm up for Best Live Host with my beautiful co-host Kristyn Burtt as well as Best Live Show for our work on AfterBuzz TV's So You Think You Can Dance last summer.  I'm not gonna lie...I'm pretty proud of it and can't help but get a little teary eyed thinking about my family and how they ALWAYS support my dreams...I'm a lucky guy!  The chances of a win tonight are slim and that doesn't bother me at all actually.  I'm a super competitive guy, but in this scenario I'm just humbled to even be recognized and up against such talented hosts.  Don't get it twisted though...I will win awards some day, just maybe not today ;-)

One thing I can promise you...THIS DUDE GONNA LOOK FLY TONIGHT!!!  Kari and her boyfriend Jason got me the sickest midnight blue velvet blazer and pants for Christmas and you know I will rock that look tonight (again...it's how we roll)!  I love getting dressed up and going to special events with these people.  I usually end up slurring my speech and telling everyone how much I love them, Mom will laugh til she cries and swear she's not drunk all night, Steve will undoubtedly crack open that Black Velvet whisky we snagged at the liquor store yesterday and Kari, as always, will be my ridiculous partner in crime...just the way I like it!  The bloody mary bar is stocked, my blazer is pressed and Kari's hair extensions are in...shit's about to get real!  I'll do my best to update you guys tomorrow and let you know how it all played out and there will definitely be some fun pics...I'm sure my family will not disappoint me in the embarrassing stories department...somehow, they never do.

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Missed Shots

It's a new year and according to social media, every single person I know is about to own the world in 2013!  I understand the need to feel important and relevant and I'm just as guilty as the next guy for letting the world know how #BLESSED or #MOTIVATED I am, but in all honesty if those things were really an ever present reality in our lives, would we really need to constantly let everyone know?  And why is it that we all wait for "occasions" to make meaningful, positive changes in our lives?  "I'll start my diet on Monday."  "When I turn 30 I'm really going to hit the gym."  "2013 belongs to me!"  It's all just so weird to me, yet here I am blogging about it on social media...go figure.

I don't have all the answers to life's greatest mysteries and I can't tell you if you're going to lose 400lbs this year or make your first 50 million, but I do know this.  Since I was a young (and incredibly adorable boy), I've felt different.  Curious about the world, destined for greatness and uhappy with the status quo.  I've never been a fan of blending in and to this day cannot understand why anyone would ever want to simply exist in this world...but I do understand why it happens.  FEAR.  "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself."  Aren't those the famous words of wisdom FDR shared with us all those years ago? (I was NOT alive yet...just so we're clear)  For my "pretty" friends...FDR was an American President ;-)  I'm not sure where or when I first heard it, but I've known that quote since I can remember and just like so many things in life, I've never really taken the time to think about it...until now.

FEAR separates the boys from the men, the thinkers from the doers, the watchers from the active participants.  FEAR keeps entire nations at bay, it keeps societies from progressing, but most importantly it keeps US from growing as individuals.  I remember reading one time that Michael Jordan missed over 9,000 shots in his career.  9,000 SHOTS!!!  That's insane to me, but you know what it really means?  HE MADE ALMOST 9,000 SHOTS!!!  He ended his career with a shooting percentage around 47%, but do you know what his percentage would have been if he hadn't taken any of those shots because he was too afraid?  ZERO.  That sounds so obvious, but think about it and apply it to your daily life.  How many times have you had a dream or an urge to try something new, but decided against it because you were afraid what others might think of you or because you simply couldn't envision your dreams becoming a reality?  I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess I'm not the only guy with unfinished business.  So instead of making broad proclamations for a 2013 that will be the greatest, most extraordinary year of all time (or at least that's what others will think because you'll let them know via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter), why not try something new?  Maybe try tackling your fears, no matter how big or how small they may seem to you.

If you've always wanted to write a book, even if it never gets published...you should start writing.  If you've always wanted to ask a certain someone out, but have been too afraid...you should ask.  If you aren't happy at your job and dream of something more...take a leap of faith and send out that resume.  You don't need to know how you're going to reach a goal, you simply need to set it and focus on it and the rest will fall into place.  It's the simplest and yet the most complex concept.  I have to remind myself almost daily that I need to be fearless and get out of my own way so that I can accomplish my dreams.  No one else in your life needs to understand and if they are not supportive, drop them!  I know how harsh that sounds, but it really is that simple.  Set honest goals, be very clear about them and be fearless.  I often explain the concept like a cross country road trip.  You know where you're going, but not exactly sure how to get there...but that doesn't stop you from turning on the engine.  When night falls you may not be able to see what's 100 yards ahead, but then again you don't need to.  Keep moving in the direction of you destination and the headlights will show you where to go.

I know I haven't blogged in a while and I'm usually charming, hilarious and charming (that was not a typo), but sometimes I think some straightforward chit chat is what we all need.  I'm pretty sure this blog is more for me than for any of my tens and tens of readers...but I'm cool with that.  I'm on a damn budget and this shit's way cheaper than therapy!  So just believe in yourself, know that you are extraordinary, dream big and give those dreams a shot...you might just surprise yourself ;-)

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